At least eight people were injured after a steel girder, which was being used by the Delhi Metro for the construction of a foot-over bridge, collapsed in Ghaziabad on Monday, authorities said

According to NDTV, a car and an auto-rickshaw were crushed after the girder fell on them. The report adds that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) confirmed that a few injuries were reported in the incident at a foot-over-bridge (FOB) in Mohan Nagar.

The DMRC in a statement said five people were injured in the accident. The police said that three other people were injured but they did not lodge a complaint and continued on their journey after receiving first-aid.

The police said that the condition of Seema (27) and Atul Gaur (30) was "serious" and they were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Mohan Nagar hospital.

"The chief project manager and general manager/safety of DMRC have reached the site to take stock of the situation," DMRC said.

According to Hindustan Times, one of the injured persons was identified as Mohammad Wahid, who was driving several passengers from Meerut to Delhi in his cab. “Three passengers sustained injuries, and my car was also damaged,” he said. According to PTI, a bike rider, identified as Gulzar (40), also came in contact with the falling girder.

The corporation has suspended its assistant engineer and junior engineer who were in-charge of the site. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DCP) Rakesh Mishra said an FIR was lodged against Rohit, the project manager of the sub-contractor, under Section 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 427 (whoever commits mischief and thereby causes loss or damage to the amount of Rs 50 or upwards) of the Indian Penal Code.

The DMRC also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.

The bridge was being built for the upcoming Dilshad Garden-New Bus Adda section of the network. The 9.41-km metro extension is proposed to have eight stations in Ghaziabad-Shaheed Nagar, Raj Bagh, Rajendra Nagar, Shyam Park, Mohan Nagar, Arthala, river Hindon and the New Bus stand.